Jurrah seeks fresh start at Power

Former Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah has told those close to him he wants to play football again next year after a positive meeting with Port Adelaide officials. Picture: Ray Titus Source: The Advertiser

THREE weeks ago, troubled forward Liam Jurrah had a meeting with the key men of the Port Adelaide Football Club to discuss his future.

He walked away knowing that he wanted back in the game. The meeting left Jurrah in soaring spirits and he has since told those close to him he wants nothing more than to be playing football again next year.

Jurrah, 24, quit Melbourne last month after becoming one of the most inspiring stories to come out of remote Central Australia - and the Power is considering taking him up on a rookie contract.

The powerbrokers at Alberton have been impressed with Jurrah from their initial conversations.

"From the club's meetings, we've found him (Jurrah) a terrific fella and one who's obviously really respected in his community, but we're taking our time because there's a lot to work through," chief executive Keith Thomas said.

Jurrah's biographer, Deakin University senior lecturer Bruce Hearn Mackinnon, has been in regular contact with Jurrah and says his desire to return to the game hasn't waned.

Hearn Mackinnon penned Liam Jurrah - From Yuendumu to the MCG, released last year, and has developed a mateship with the exciting player he believes still has within him much improvement.

"He left the meeting with Port Adelaide three weeks ago feeling really positive," Hearn Mackinnon said.

"I haven't spoken to him that much about football - it's been more about supporting him and making sure about his general welfare.

"But when I asked him if he was keen to return to play footy he said, 'Yes, that's what I want to do'."

The high-marking forward has kept a low profile pending his trial in Alice Springs in March next year for his alleged involvement in a violent clash at the Little Sisters Town Camp near Alice Springs in March.

Since then Jurrah has been troubled by the upcoming court date and he also quit his employment with the Melbourne Demons.

But after his bail conditions were altered to allow him to spend the summer in Adelaide, close to mother Corina Granites and his grandmother, Hearn McKinnon had noticed a change in Jurrah's mood, as much as he and the family are left to count down the days to the court date that will make his football future clearer.

"What he has now is family and support around him, the thing he was missing in Melbourne," Hearn McKinnon said.

"As much as I and a lot of people tried to help him out with that, it's not the same.

"Having that support means so much to him - and living in Adelaide is a perfect scenario for him. He sounds the happiest he's been when I talk to him (since he was charged).

Thomas said it had been imperative to have new coach Ken Hinkley involved as talks continue.

However, he said that the club had been impressed by the initial conversations.

It was still a complex issue with much to work through, but Thomas felt few clubs were better positioned to deal with Jurrah's circumstance than Port Adelaide.

"We've got a fantastic Indigenous program with people such as Paul Vandenberg and Byron Pickett and I think we're well equipped to deal with this," Thomas said.

Former Essendon and Port Adelaide champ Che Cockatoo-Collins has been among those who have urged Port Adelaide to support Jurrah.

One of the most difficult parts about Jurrah's fate is the timing of his court date, which falls just as the 2013 AFL season is set to start.

Port Adelaide will consider having Jurrah train with them over summer.

Clubs can enlist rookies in December's rookie draft, and also keep one rookie spot open until the period between the end of the pre-season competition and start of the home-and-away season.

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